citizens advice bureau (few questions)

blu1974

Hi im pretty new to this so it mat sound a stuip question sorry if it does.Me and my partner have unsecured debt between us of 24,000 loans plus credit cards,the last 3 to 4 months we have been on a knife edge and just managed to keep the payments up we have never been behind and we still are not behind with any payments but once every think is paid out i can just put food on the table at a push.We have 2 small children and one on the way,so i decided to contact my bank who i have the loans and credit cards with and explained my situation and to my amazment they was very helpfull and understanding but told me for them to take me seriously i must seek advice and go to the CAB.So me and my partner went yesterday and the young lady there went through all my income and how much i have to pay out etc etc.After she worked it all out she came up with a figure of £199 which we have left after every think else was accounted for food,gas,elec,morgage council tax all the main important things.Now she has drafted me a payment plan and told me she is informing all my debtors of my situation and that i must now stick to her payment plan.The £199 is spread evenly between my debtors and in order of who i owe the most money to gets the highest amount out of the £199 in that order if you know what i mean.She told me to cancel my direct debits and only pay using giro slips etc she also asured me that this was totally legal and that my debtors will except my offers as long as i stick to the plan.She also said if i have any threatning letters to contact her and let her know so she can deal with it.I have also opened a new bank account with both our wages going into it and still maintain morgage payments and council tax etc.This women has been a angel and hopefully the next few months once it settles down things will be alot better for us but is this the usual how the CAB help you im still scared to cancel the direct debits but she said i must do this and pay what she has told me to pay.Im going to cancel them this month and start her plan but just worried about balifs knocking the door but she also said that should not happen as she is dealing with it personally all im asking really does this sound right before i cancel my direct debits and sorry about the spellings cheers

Ames

Yes what she's told you is right, you should cancel the DD's. Bailiffs are waaaaay down the line - you have to be taken to court and then break any agreement that the court decides before bailiffs can be involved. Your creditors should see from the CAB that you're dealing with your debt. I felt strange cancelling the DDs too, but it was for the best.

blu1974

Hi thanks for your quick reply as i said i still havent cancelled them yet but i will do it towards the end of the month.She told me to ask for giro slips and do not pay them any more money than what she has told me to even if they get nasty she said they will except the payment.I will be opening a new bank account on monday and at the start of the month start her plan.I was also told i may be reviewed 6 months or so but that will be down to the debtors.Thanks again for your reply ;0)

Mrs_Bones

CAB have been brilliant in helping me, in the end I just did not have enough to do monthly amounts but what you have been told is what I was also told and I had to cancel DD has well. You will start getting phone calls which are not nice and they will tell you lots of stuff that isn't true but you are getting good advice from the CAB and any trouble you have I'd report to them.

blu1974

Hi thxs for your reply she did say i would get phone calls and threats but she said just stick with your payment plan and it will soon settle down.Has yours settled down now or do you still get phone calls etc cheers